An introduction to astronomy for ages 8 and up (and their parents!)

THE 2023-2024 COURSES ARE NOW FILLED.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN NEXT YEAR'S COURSES (INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY AND HISTORY OF SPACEFLIGHT, STARTING IN SEPTEMBER, 2024) PLEASE CONTACT ME.

Contact me at aaron.n.turner@gmail.com

Introduction to Astronomy : This course consists of a series of lectures and presentations describing the Universe surrounding us, from the objects in our solar system, to the stars in our galaxy, to the most distant galaxies that Man has discovered. The material presented assumes no previous knowledge of astronomy. We describe the nature of astronomical objects in great detail, and introduce the physical processes that govern their formation, progression and interactions. In addition, on each class night with clear skies, we observe from our front yard (in Southbury, CT) through our 10" telescope - viewing planets, double stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies, as well as artificial satellites and the occasional meteor.

Classes will meet every other Tuesday (subject to change depending on schedules of the families that enroll) at 7pm starting in mid-August, and ending in mid to late Spring, 2023. There are a total of 19 biweekly sessions.  Attending in person is preferred; however, a limited number of families may attend through Skype.

The History of Astronomy: This course is available for ages 10 and up, or for any student who has completed the Introduction to Astronomy course.

Starting from prehistoric evidence of observations of the motions of the Sun and Moon, this course traces the development of our understanding of the Universe through the early theories of the Greeks, then through the Copernican and Galilean revolutions of the Renaissance, Kepler, Newton, and the dawn of modern astronomy in the 18th-20th centuries. We will carry through to the latest discoveries of the 21st century, and peer into what lies ahead. 

The course runs for 19 sessions on the weeks between sessions of the Introductory course.  

Location: Southbury, CT

Cost: The price for the class is $250 per student and can be paid in full or in monthly installments. Parents attend (and are encouraged to attend) for free. 

Tonight's Observing Conditions

 


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    Picture of Aaron Turner
    Lunar Eclipse This Sunday night (1/20)
    by Aaron Turner - Thursday, 17 January 2019, 12:53 AM
     

    This Sunday night, starting at the late hour of 10:30, a total lunar eclipse begins, easily visible from Connecticut.  The eclipse will reach totality near midnight, and end around 2am on Monday morning.  Originally, this looked like a very promising event, with Monday a holiday for some folks.  ...

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    Perseid Meteor Shower this Weekend
    by Aaron Turner - Tuesday, 7 August 2018, 11:36 PM
     

    The best (maybe second best) meteor shower of the year occurs this weekend - the Perseids.  This year the astronomical conditions are nearly perfect - no moon will be visible throughout the night.  The only wildcard is the weather.  Right now the forecast is all about scattered thunderstorm for ...

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    A newsletter opportunity
    by Aaron Turner - Thursday, 28 June 2018, 12:48 AM
     

    We had our final class of the year this Monday, and as we were breaking up, one of the parents told me we needed to keep in touch.  On the spot I came up with the possibility of creating a newsletter to send out to former class members.  Over the past two days that idea has solidified, as I ...

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